This is one of the least factual, most misleading articles I've ever read
on 'vaping'. "Mist Sticks"? No one on any planet has ever
referred to these as "Mist Sticks" besides this writer.
'Vapes', 'e-cigs' maybe, but this just emphasizes and
underlines how misguided the writer is. Electronic Cigarettes are
regulated just as regular cigarettes are. E-cigs (I'm not crazy about that
name, but hey, let's use it) have helped thousands of people quit smoking.
They have helped ME quit smoking. I'm going to live longer because of
these. This writer criticized chewing tobacco as being marketed to kids as
candy...WHERE??? Show me a place that markets chew as candy for kids and
I'll light the first torch. That's wrong, it's illegal and I
don't think it ever happened. I'm all for journalism, but it has to be
tied to facts, not fancy.

It is absolutely incomprehensible to me that Rep. Ray is willing to deceive
people, and allow smokers to needlessly die, to push his anti-tobacco agenda.
While it's admirable to want to see nicotine kept away from kids, it's
certainly bad enough that he shouldn't have to lie to do it.

Not
only is it flatly untrue that e-cigarettes contain "the same toxic chemicals
as cigarettes," but it's an even bigger lie to claim that they are
marketed to hook kids on tobacco. They are marketed toward adults, many with the
opposite intent: to get smokers to switch away from traditional cigarettes.

E-cigarettes have the capability to save lives. In the ten years
they've been available, e-cigarettes have killed nobody. Meanwhile, smoking
has killed millions. For reasons I cannot comprehend, Ray seems to have made it
a personal crusade to keep these lifesaving alternatives away from smokers, and
he doesn't seem to care how many outrageous lies he has to tell, or how
many people have to die, to do it. It's shameful.

There is no question about the debate over keeping e-cigarettes out of the hands
of minors. But to say you can't be seen in public places with them just
because a minor might see you using them is ridiculous. If you are a business
owner and you have a private establishment, why can't you make your own
decision to allow e-cigarettes whether everywhere or in designated areas. If the
products are ever proven to have adverse effects on the public then do what you
must, but until then give it a break.

JeffP -- I wrote an explanation of the "candy" thing, but apparently
pointing out that a politician has been lying is not allowed here, and my
comment was rejected.

The comment relates to Rep. Ray's campaign
a few years back to ban Snus on the ground that they are "candy" and
"marketed to children." Both claims are completely false, but
apparently when even the papers are censoring those who try to tell the truth of
the matter, it's no wonder he gets support.